Metilmercurio en el cabello de población infantil

  1. M.ªT. Llorente Ballesteros
  2. I. Vírseda Chamorro
  3. R. Peral Jiménez
  4. M.ªJ. Sanz Grimaldi
  5. M.ªA. Ruiz Tejada
  6. J. L. López Colón
Journal:
Sanidad militar: revista de sanidad de las Fuerzas Armadas de España

ISSN: 1887-8571

Year of publication: 2011

Volume: 67

Issue: 3

Pages: 299-303

Type: Article

DOI: 10.4321/S1887-85712011000400007 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Sanidad militar: revista de sanidad de las Fuerzas Armadas de España

Sustainable development goals

Abstract

Introduction: The methylmercury (MeHg) is the most abundant organic compound of mercury in the environment. This is a strong neurotoxic which is able to cross the blood-brain and the placental barriers. Even at low levels, it can originate alterations in the brain that affect the processes of the fetus-children development. The main source of MeHg is the intake of contaminated fish. Objectives: The EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) recommended MeHg levels in hair of 1 μg/g, while the JECFA (FAO/OMS) established safety levels of MeHg in hair of 2,2 μg/g. This study of MeHg in hair was carried out in the Region of Madrid's young population because Spain is a great fish consumer, and due to the fetal and children vulnerability to MeHg. Material and methods: 472 children participated, They were categorized by age and by frequency of weekly fish consumption. The age categories were the following: 0-5, 6-10, 11-15 and older than 15, and the frequency of weekly fish consumption was based on an individualized questionnaire with four options (non consumers, consume 1-2 times / week, consume 3-4 t/w, consume more than 4 t/w). The analyses were made by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Espectroscopy. Results: The study carried out with SPSS shows significant differences in the levels of MeHg in hair, among those that consume more than 4 t/w, and those that do not consume (0,68 vs 2,34 μg/g). The median obtained for the different age categories were: 0,53 μg/g, 1,01 μg/g, 1,56 μg/g and 0,93 μg/g. Discussion: Similar studies in countries with low or no consume or fish show that hair mercury levels are below 0.5 μg/g. In contrast, in Spain, because its diet rich in fish, the lowest hair mercury levels are higher than that figure. Conclussion: The study concludes that, at least 2,5% of the children population of the Region of Madrid exceed the limits of safety recommended by JECFA (FAO/OMS) and approximately 30% exceed the limits of safety for MeHg in hair establish by US EPA.

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